How To Protect Grapes

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 12:05

In a recent thread on snakes Joef55 commented:-

"Apparently commercial banana growers use covers (plastic bags open at both ends that they slip over the bunch and tie at the top) to protect bananas from diseases, insects and sunburn. "

Picking up on that I wondered if it might be the answer to my problem with grapes. The variety in question is a small green seedless grape and the problem is sparrows. They can fit these in their beaks and they suck them dry. Last year I used a scarecrow, Christmas tinsel, balloons and CDs but nothing would deter them and I lost all 30 or so bunches before they were ripe enough to pick. They never touched the larger red grapes.

Has anybody tried the plastic bag technique?

Would the grapes be damaged or fail to ripen?

Any advice/ideas would be appreciated (but I don't want a cat!).

Thanks

Chegwin


Joined: 24/03/2009
Posts: 775

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 13:03

No kidding. My granddad used to use my grannies old stockings. The top and bottom ends tied loosely.

They were not too tight as to restrict growth. They let the light in for development and they allowed air to circulate, thus combating the potential for mildew.

Worked for him.

Chegs

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 16:46

We had the same problem last year although we did manage to keep some of the bunches. We bought thin plastic party plates from the supermarket, made a hole in the middle with a slit down to it which enables you to put the plate on top of the bunch. The sparrows then cannot get the grapes unless they hovver in the air.

Hope this makes some sense!

stresshead


Joined: 24/05/2011
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 18:17

Hi when we lived in Spain we used to protect them with white paper bags tied at the top of the bunch and open at the bottom.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 19:25

I don't like to protect grapes. I press them with my bare feet, let them ferment and then get the liquid down my throat as quickly as possible!!



Richard

paddywack


Joined: 04/05/2009
Posts: 959

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 19:29

I have seen newspaper wrapped like a lampshade.

Jovial_John


Joined: 31/01/2009
Posts: 1024

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 20:14

Interesting ideas - I will try a few and report back as to the most effective.



Don't worry Richard, nothing bothers my wine-making grapes - they are too big for the sparrows.

janjin



Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 488

Message Posted:
13/06/2011 23:40

Don't want to change the thread but can I ask why do some people hang bags of water by their vines ??